Child Abuse and Neglect

Child Abuse and Neglect
Name
Institution

Child Abuse and Neglect
The federal government together with state government have often tried to introduce policies to protect children welfare. Despite these policies, cases of child abuse and neglect are still widespread. The NASW is at the forefront of recommending policy initiatives that ensure that children are protected. One of NASW positions is to increase public awareness on issues of child welfare and neglect. Through this position, NASW seeks to use media and educational campaigns to highlight the significance of child abuse issues. Moreover, the position also seeks to bring out the legal requirements of reporting systems for child neglect issues (National Association of Social Workers, 2009). It is ideal to introduce a policy to ensure successful implementation of the position.
The policy initiative focuses on promotion initiatives of child neglect issues. First, the policy advances the use of media to highlight these issues. For example, local authorities that focus on issues of child neglect and abuse should be required to develop public awareness campaigns that are broadcast on local media. These campaigns should highlight child neglect issues, give examples and provide contacts where individuals can report instances of neglect. Additionally, the campaign should also include educational activities for children in schools to sensitize them on issues of neglect and abuse. In Minnesota, there already exists policies of child neglect and abuse.

These policies define aspects that amount to child neglect and abuse and they affect the new initiative in several ways. For example, the new initiative should outline these instances of neglect and abuse as contained in the Minnesota policies. The initiative is also affected as the Minnesota policies provide resources that people can use to highlight child neglect issues in their surroundings.

References
National Association of Social Workers. (2009). Social work speaks: NASW policy statements. Washington, DC: NASW Press, pp42-48.